Six environmental activists that were arrested in Stung Treng province early Saturday while investigating illegal logging near economic land concessions have been released following two days of questioning from military police.
The detainees included Ouch Leng, a Goldman Environmental Prize winner who was also arrested and released in 2021 during similar eco-investigations, as well as longtime colleagues Heng Sros and Men Mat, who were detained with him that year. Also arrested were freelance journalist and activist Tat Oudom, Cambodian Youth Network project coordinator Out Latin, and environmental activist Prum Mao, whose identity was initially unknown.
Stung Treng provincial military police commander Seng Sopheap confirmed the group’s release at around 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 25.
“They were allowed to return home following an order from the prosecutor, ” he said, directing further inquiries to the prosecutor handling the case.
Sopheap declined for further comment and questions regarding the conditions of the release.
Chea Sopheak, spokesperson for the prosecutor at Stung Treng Provincial Court, did not respond to multiple phone calls.
Am Sam Ath, operations director of Cambodian human rights group Licadho, applauded the decision to release the activists.
“I think they are environmental defenders and activists who should not be arrested for their actions to protect forests and natural resources. They have been accused to enter restrict area, but even though they entered a restricted area without permission, it was with the purpose to protecting the forest,” he said.
According to Sam Ath, Licadho’s team briefly spoke with the activists after their release but received no details about any conditions attached.
Stung Treng provincial spokesperson Men Kung said the six individuals were released following discussions with their lawyers and after “acknowledging wrongdoing for entering the restricted area.” He added that authorities cautioned them against entering the area again.
“They admitted their mistake and acknowledged their actions violated the restrictions,” Kung said. “They promised not to repeat the offense, to adhere to the rules, and to follow instructions from officials and the prosecutor.”
CamboJA News has not been able to verify whether the area in question is clearly zoned to prohibit all entry, even for environmental protection or investigation efforts.
Past cases involving the arrest of activists, journalists, and dissidents in Cambodia have drawn sharp criticism from rights groups, with media reports documenting instances where individuals were coerced into confessions or pledges of allegiance to the ruling party under the threat of politically motivated charges or harm to their families.
Heng Sros’s wife, Choub Sreynuth, told CamboJA News she went to meet her husband for his release but was only able to to speak with him briefly. She said he instructed her to return to Phnom Penh but did not say where he was going.
It remains unclear whether members of the formerly detained group have returned home or where they have gone since their release.
While Sreynuth expressed relief over her husband’s release, she admitted to constant worry about his safety because of his work as an environmental activist
Heng Kimhong, president of the Cambodian Youth Network (CYN), also confirmed the release of the six individuals but said CYN has not yet spoken with them. He added that the group provided their thumbprints as part of the release process.
“I believe the work of protecting natural resources should not be restricted but encouraged,” he said, referring to the vitality of the group’s environmental work.
“Their release is good news, but we hope to see no more arrests of those working to safeguard the environment.”
CamboJA News reporters were unable to reach the six activists for comment.
